Estate Planning For Your Pets
andrew • November 14, 2022
While pets are cherished members of every household they inhabit, they can often get lost in the shuffle during estate planning and administration. Although animals may not inherit portions of an estate, most people wrongly believe that they cannot provide for their pets in their trusts or wills. In Colorado, that is not the case.
Colorado law explicitly authorizes the creation of trusts that care for designated pets (
Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-11-901 ). This means that individuals can include language in their will or trust designating a caretaker for their beloved dog, cat, horse, etc. and put funds in a trust to be used exclusively for their health, well-being, new toys, skateboard, or other indulgences. Additional instructions can be provided concerning their quality of life, food preferences/requirements/etc. and successor caretakers can be designated in case the original caretaker cannot care for the pet. These trusts are relatively simple to administer as they generally terminate when the designated pet passes away, with any remaining trust assets being re-distributed to other beneficiaries as laid out in the trust or will.
Your pet will no doubt be devastated to lose you and change can be difficult on them, so helping ensure their stable care after your death can really help them enjoy the rest of their years in a loving home. If you do not establish a plan for your pets after you pass away, either formally through a pet trust or informally through conversations with relatives or friends, they could end up at an animal shelter where they may or may not end up being adopted again, or an unsuitable home. For most people, this is not how they want their pet to live following their death.
Your pet will no doubt be devastated to lose you and change can be difficult on them, so helping ensure their stable care after your death can really help them enjoy the rest of their years in a loving home. If you do not establish a plan for your pets after you pass away, either formally through a pet trust or informally through conversations with relatives or friends, they could end up at an animal shelter where they may or may not end up being adopted again, or an unsuitable home. For most people, this is not how they want their pet to live following their death.
If you would like to discuss estate planning for your pet or family at large, please give us a call to schedule an appointment.
What next?
If you think it might be time to think through your estate plan, you can:

- Give us a call at 720-821-7604 to schedule a "Discovery Session" at which we can determine whether our firm would be a good fit for your needs. Or fill out our contact form to have us call you.
- Visit our estate planning page to learn more about how proactively thinking through your estate plan can protect you and your family, minimize hassle, lower the chance of family discord, and minimize or eliminate taxes.
- Learn more by reading our blog or watching our videos .
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robalado on the Empowered Elder Podcast to talk about one of the topics I care most about: helping families protect themselves before a crisis forces their hand.  You can watch the full episode below. But I also wanted to highlight a few of the key points we covered, because they come up in our office week after week.
If you've been putting off estate planning — or think you already have it handled — there's a good chance one of these common misconceptions is part of the reason. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of speaking at an event hosted by Jim Smith , a Golden real estate professional who regularly brings together valuable resources for his clients and community. He recently published a summary of that presentation on his blog, and you can read it here and watch the full video here . I wanted to expand on a few of those key points for our own readers.
Can you disinherit a child in Colorado? Learn what Colorado law allows and how proper estate planning can protect your wishes. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC provides legal assistance to the Colorado public.
Learn how to protect and transfer your Colorado vacation home with proper estate planning. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC assists Colorado families with second home planning strategies.
Learn why estate planning is crucial for single adults in Colorado. Discover how wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives protect your wishes and ensure the right people can act on your behalf. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC assists the Centennial public with creating personalized estate plans.
Learn how life insurance supports a strong Colorado estate plan. Discover how it provides financial protection, avoids probate delays, balances inheritances, and works with trusts. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC assists Centennial residents with building well-structured estate plans.
Learn how to choose the right trustee or executor for your Colorado estate. Understand key qualities, common mistakes, and how The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC helps Centennial residents make informed estate planning decisions.
Learn why a Power of Attorney is essential in Colorado. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC helps residents establish financial and medical POAs to protect their wishes and loved ones.
Learn how Colorado handles estates when someone passes away without a will. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC helps families navigate intestate succession and probate with guidance and care.
Learn the legal grounds for contesting a will in Colorado, including undue influence, fraud, and lack of capacity. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC helps Colorado families with will contests and probate disputes.